Aussie Player Exodus

[Slim 293]

Ikitau and McReight also fielding offers overseas according to Panda…

The lingering uncertainty over the broadcast deal, and the future of Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, has led to players exploring options elsewhere.

Backrower Langi Gleeson has already signed for French club Montpellier for 2026, while star centre Len Ikitau is deep in negotiations for a monster deal in Japan.

Key backrower Fraser McReight, who is keen to remain in Australia for the World Cup but off-contract at the end of this year, has already fielded $1 million-a-year offers from Europe and Japan and is seriously considering a move offshore.

 

[TSR]

Every player is going to be checking options and every agent is going to be leaking it.

Without doubt we’ll lose some players we’d really like to keep. If we lose enough then maybe Schmidt will have to soften his stance.

But, unfortunately, RA can’t continue to spend beyond their means so (IMO) they are actually acting responsibly by getting certainty around their finance before they lock in deals.

 

[cyclopath]

If a player like McReight goes, that definitely does not fall into the "meh, there is plenty of depth in that spot, he won't be missed" category. Ikitau is not much different.
There is no scenario in the near future where RA can compete with that sort of money across the board. Unless there is a wage recession in Euro Rugby, there are pretty difficult times ahead for RA. Realistically it seems more and more likely that we will need to pick players from wherever they are.

 

[Derpus]

If a player like McReight goes, that definitely does not fall into the "meh, there is plenty of depth in that spot, he won't be missed" category. Ikitau is not much different.
There is no scenario in the near future where RA can compete with that sort of money across the board. Unless there is a wage recession in Euro Rugby, there are pretty difficult times ahead for RA. Realistically it seems more and more likely that we will need to pick players from wherever they are.

It's been inevitable for a while I reckon. I also think we can make it work.

 

[LevitatingSocks]

It's been inevitable for a while I reckon. I also think we can make it work.

If McReight does go, I'd prefer to see him in Europe rather than Japan even if it makes the logistics more difficult. I'm not convinced the Japanese domestic leagues offer an intensity close to Test rugby or even Super Rugby.

 

[Strewthcobber]

If McReight does go, I'd prefer to see him in Europe rather than Japan even if it makes the logistics more difficult. I'm not convinced the Japanese domestic leagues offer an intensity close to Test rugby or even Super Rugby.

Doesn't seem to have made any difference to the Boks